Vehicle jack



Sept. 20, 1932. s. R. ZIMMERMAN VEHICLE JACK FiledNOV. 14, 1929 Patented Sept. 20, 1932 narran starr-.s ear nur ferries SAMUEL n. ZIMMER-funn, for GREENVILLE, sourir cAnoiiiNAA l vnnrcnn JACK Application ined. November 14, 1ere. serial no. 407,202.

a vehicle having demountable Wheels.

lt is known in the prior art that vehicles may be lifted by jacks of the character above mentioned, but such devicesare either permanently attached to the vehicle chassis or are secured to the vehicle wheel. rlhe first type'is impractical and expensive because it requires that each vehicle be equipped `with four separat-e jacks and that mechanism be provided for raising; and holding,` the jacks in inoperative position, and yet permitting them to be released easily when desired. The second type cannot be used with derncuntable wheels because the vehicle i'ssupported by the felly or the spokes of the wheelto which the jack is attaced. Y

If a self-lifting j ackV is to be used with vehicles having demountable wheels, it is essential then that it support the vehicle by means of the vehicle axles; be capable of easy and quick attachment and yet be readily detachable after use. rlhe main object of my invention is to provide a jack of this character .which is simple, inexpensive and practical.

@ther objects will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawingA in which:

Fig. l is a view, partly in section, of one embodiment of my invent? on as applied to a vehicle havin@ demountable wheels.

Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the manner of using` the jack.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a clamping member which forms a part of the jack.v

Referringr to the drawing the jack in question comprises an upright member 4, and a clamping` orrim-embracing member 5. These members may be made from any suitable material such as malleable iron or steel, and member l comprises a body portion having a cup-like axle-engaging top 6, an intermediate lug 7 and an enlarged base 8. The body portion may be provided with reinforcing ribs 9 so as to make it strong without unduly increasing its weight. With the top 6 contructed as shown, the lug 7 is prevented from 'iurning and is therefore held in substantially iarallel relation to the vehicle axle during l'ielplacing of the ack and the lifting)` of the vehicle. j YAs shown in the 55 drawing` the lug 7 is 1formed'integrally with the member l, and is Vshaped at 2O to conform to the curvature of a face of the rim of a vehicle wheel. In its top vside it contains an undercut slot l0, adapted to receive and pivotally support theA member 5.

y Operative association of the upright member and the vehicle wheel, is obtained' by means of the arcuate rim-embracing member 5. At, its inner end of the member 5 is bifur- Vcated. to form two legs 1l, joined adjacent their free .ends by a pivot pin l2. Threaded into the outer end of member 5 is a clamp which may comprise a threaded shank 13, a winged nut 141; secured thereto7 and a block 15. Block l5 is pivotally attached to the inner fend of shank 173 and carries an integral tongue 16. The face 2l offbloek l5 is shaped to conform to the curvature of a side face of the *7^* rim of a vvehicle wheel, and is held in proper relation to the rim by the cooperation of tongue 16 and a groove l? in the member 5.

ln l' the cup-like top 6 of the'jack is shown in engagenietv with the front axle 18 of an automotive vehicle ofpwell known construction, the wheel 19 being lifted from the ground' forremeval or replacement. It will be seen that the rim 22 of the wheel is securely heldbetween Vthe block l5 and the lug 7 so that'movement of the axle 18 will cause the wheeland the jack to be moved atl the same time.y Y

rllhe method 'of applying; the ack and lifting a w ieel is clearly illustrated in Figz2, the

til!

wheel i9 being shown with a flat tire 23. The

member 5 is normally removed from the upright member 4l, for convenience in carrying the jack.` When a wheel is to be jacked up, the member 4 is placed in position with the. top `@against the vehicle axle, and the edge of the base 8 resting on the ground.' Preferably the member 4t is placed infront of the in lifting; a: front wheel, and in rear of the axle in lifting a rear wheel thereby avoiding` 10U reaching under the car. The member 4 is, of course, placed inwardly of the wheel, then the member' 5 is inserted between the spokes of the wheel and the pin l2 placed in the slot l0. l is securely held between lug 7 and block 15, the surfaces and 21 engaging the sides of rim 22. Proper alignment of block l5 and the side ot rim 22 is assured bythe action of tongue 16 and groove 17.

The vehiclev is now driven `forward until member 4 reaches a vertical position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which'position the wheel is elevated above the ground. lWith the vehicle brake set tohold'the vehicle .in position, the member 5 canbe removed to allow the wheel to be taken ott and another substituted. When this wheel or another wheel is placed onthe hub and secured in place. the member 5 is again inserted, hooked into the slot l0 and clamped to the rim 22. rl`he vehicle'is nowfdriven forward or backward until the weight of the vehicle is entirely removed from the jack and 'is again supported by the wheel.. After this the parts 4 and 5 may be separated and removed from the'wheel and axle.

It will be clear that, although my invention has been illustrated as applied to a vehicle using demountable wheels, its use is Vnot so limited.` 'lf he jack may be applied either in front of or in rear of either axle, and the vehicle raised or lowered by moving` the vehicle ,ither forward or backward', as convenience may dictate. By making the member 5 removable from the member 4, storing, carry ing, assembly and disassembly of the jack are greatly simplified.

Y Although I have herein shown and described only one form ot jack embodying my invention it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

1l/Vhat is claimed is:

. l. A vehicle jack comprising an upright member having an axle-engaging portion at the top and an enlarged base ;A an intermediate lug carried by said member; and arimembracing member pivotally attached to said lug. Y

2. A vehicle jack comprising an upright member having an axle-engaging portion at thetop and an enlarged base; an intermediate lug carried by said member; a detachable rim-embracing member pivoted on said lug; and clamping means carried by said rim-embracing member at the free end thereof.

3. A vehicle jack comprising an arcuate member adapted to be secured to the rim of a vehicle wheel; clamping means .carried by said member; an upright support having an axle-engaging portion at the top and ne nut 14 is tightened until the rim 22 an enlarged base; and a lugV carried by said upright'member, said lug providing a pivot about which said arcuate member is detachably swingable.

4. -A vehicle jack comprising Van arcuate member adapted to be secured to the rim of a vehicle wheel; clamping means carried by said member; an upright support having an axle-engaging portion at the top and an `enlarged base; a lug carried by said upright member substantiallyA midway between the ends of said member, said lug having an undercut slot in itstop side for receiving and pivotally supporting one end of said arcu ate member.

5. Avehicle jack comprising an arcuate member adapted to Vvbe secured to the rim of a vehicle wheel, said member having one end bifurcated and the bifurcations being joined by a pivot pin; a clamp carried by Athe other end of said member, said clamp including afprojecting tongue and'said member-'having a lgroove,cooperating with said sAMUELR. ZMMERMAN. 

